PUFFY EYES! How to shrink and disguise EYE BAGS - Makeup artist Kerry-Lou shares her secrets!

Today we are talking about puffy eye bags! Sometimes we occasionally wake up with them and sometimes we wake up with them everyday. Nevertheless, we have all experienced them. As a result, I am going to show you how to shrink and disguise eye bags.

What Are Eye Bags?

Let’s get our terminology right first. Eye bags are when your lower lid actually puffs outward, usually it’s because pockets under the skin in this area are filled with fat, or fluid. Sometimes we wake up and our bags are just little evening purses, some days they’re more like over stuffed suitcases. I get it!

Some people have dark circles, which are different from bags. Dark circles are discoloration of the area under and sometimes over the eyes, usually they are brown or blueish. But today we’re just talking about Bags, NOT dark circles.

What Causes Eye Bags?

Occasional puffiness is usually just caused by fluid not draining properly from this area. Bags are of course the first sign that you’re not getting a good nights sleep, not moving around enough, not eating right, or you could have underlying health issues that need to be addressed.

How to Shrink and Disguise Eye Bags- Tips and Tricks

First try to eat cleaner, and prepare more of your own food if possible. This of course is going to effect your over-all health, not just your puffy eyes. I don’t often eat fast food, but when I do that’s when my eyes puff up! Does that happen to you? It’s all the salt and other junk in the food.

Most mornings I have oatmeal. I often add chia seeds which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have a healing effect on the skin and are also chock full of good stuff for your hair! I top off my oatmeal with some maple syrup and any nuts and fruits I have on hand. I know that many people just want a magic lotion, or cream to make their puffy eyes go away, and topical treatments can work to an extent, but they are just a part of the bigger picture.

In addition, try to work on your sleep habits and move more. I used to have dark circles, and more puffiness under my eyes and I found Yoga has really helped me. Yoga is very beneficial to lymphatic drainage. Poor lymphatic drainage is a key factor to puffy eyes. Inverted poses are very beneficial to getting the lymph system moving. But, please check with your doctor first, especially those with high blood pressure.

I love this yoga channel on youtube! Try doing downward facing dog pose while your oatmeal cooks!

How to Shrink and Disguise Eye Bags- Tools

A very useful tool is a gua sha tool or a face roller. These are very popular for lymphatic drainage on the face. If you put them in the fridge, they will be even more effective. Consistency is key. Use these regularly, they will be much more effective if you don’t just wait until your eyes look puffy to do it.

If you need to reduce the puffiness in a hurry, Chamomile tea bags will help. Brew some tea using two tea bags in one cup of water. Take the tea bags out of your cup, and put them in the fridge for 15 minutes. Lay down and put the cold chamomile tea bags on your eyes and relax for 15 minutes. You will find this very refreshing.

I’ve been using Brightening Eye Masks by DRMTLGY (save 20% with code H611F). They contain caffeine. Anything that contains caffeine will have a tightening effect on the skin. They also have Hyaluronic acid, cucumber, and many other effective ingredients that will help tighten up and refresh the undereye skin. You can even keep them in the fridge for more effectiveness.

Some eye creams like DERMALOGICA Awaken Peptide Eye Gel are designed specifically for puffy eyes. It’s a firming, hydrating eye gel with caffeine and Hyaluronic acid and other de-puffing ingredients. I’ve been using this specific eye cream for the last couple weeks and I love the tightening effect.

I know some of you are going to ask about how to get rid of fatty deposits under the skin, because you’re smart like that. Sometimes puffiness is caused by pockets under the eyes that are filled with fat. Unfortunately, I can’t give you advice on that because it falls into the area of plastic surgery. I haven’t had any plastic surgery, but I do know that it’s not a very complicated procedure typically. My advice when shopping for a plastic surgeon is not to look for a bargain, and do lot’s of research.

How to Shrink and Disguise Eye Bags- The Technique

Now I will show you how to shrink and disguise eye bags using makeup techniques that I’ve perfected during my 40 years working as a New York City makeup artist.

First, I am going to apply ILIA serum foundation all over my face. This serum foundation is great for everyday wear, it doesn’t look as though you’re even wearing makeup.

The key to shrink and disguise eye bags is to use TWO different colored concealers. One is a little lighter than my skin color, and one just a tad darker. I’m using Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit. I used Warm Ivory for the light color and Natural for the darker color.

Visually, a light shade brings an area forward and a dark shade recedes, or pushes back.

How To How to Shrink and Disguise Eye Bags Instructions

I’m going to apply the light color concealer in the crevices and more hallow parts around my eyes. These areas around the eye have very thin skin and there is less fat in these areas. As a result, this can create a dark hallowed out look. This light concealer brings those areas forward. So, either using a brush or your finger gently pat the concealer into skin. I’m using makeup brushes #115 and #109 from my own signature brush series.
Next, I’m going to apply the concealer that is a tad darker than the rest of my face skin. Apply this darker shade where the skin is the puffiest. This will recess the look of this puffy area. Make sure while applying you are gently patting the concealer into your skin. If you are swiping the concealer it’s not going where you want it to be.
Some very creamy concealers require just a touch of translucent powder over top to set it. The powder takes the shine off the skin under the eyes. This is good because if you have a shiny finish under your eyes it will catch the light and it will end up looking more puffy.

If you don’t want to apply powder use one of these concealer options:

ILIA True Skin Serum Concealer: Choose one color that is a smidge darker than the skin on your face and choose a second color that’s a smidge lighter than the skin on your face.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer: This is a really great budget friendly option. Choose one color that is a smidge darker than the skin on your face and choose a second color that’s a smidge lighter than the skin on your face.

I know this technique may be surprising to some of you. So many of us have been told to use a lighter concealer under the eyes, but if you use a lighter concealer under the eyes, it will make that area pop forward and that’s not what we want to do for puffy eyes!